LONDON — England is approaching a major public-health milestone, with health officials saying the country is “on the cusp” of eliminating hepatitis C as a public-health threat.

More than 100,000 people in England have received potentially life-saving treatment for hepatitis C through the NHS over the past decade, according to newly reported figures. Modern antiviral medicines can cure the infection in most people who complete treatment.

The progress follows a nationwide effort to identify people living with hepatitis C and connect them with treatment. The disease can cause serious liver damage, including cirrhosis and liver cancer, when it remains untreated.

NHS testing and targeted treatment programmes have played a central role in reducing the number of people living with the virus. Health officials are now focusing on finding remaining undiagnosed cases and ensuring people who have been identified can access treatment.

The development comes as global health organisations work towards the wider goal of eliminating viral hepatitis as a major public-health threat by 2030. England's progress puts it among the countries making significant advances towards that objective.

However, reaching elimination will require continued testing and treatment, particularly among groups that may face barriers to accessing healthcare.

The latest milestone is a significant achievement for the NHS and England's public-health system, but officials face the final challenge of identifying remaining infections and preventing new transmissions.

If current progress continues, England could move closer to becoming one of the first major countries to effectively eliminate hepatitis C as a public-health threat.